Still young and green <br />I went to a pub alone <br />in the mill town of Halifax <br />and landed myself in a fix. <br /> <br />Few customers were chatting quietly, <br />one leaning against the bar nonchalantly, <br />the barman polishing a glass leisurely; <br />I approached the bar apprehensively. <br /> <br />‘A glass of champagne', I said. <br />A hush descended like a cloud, <br />heads turned in disbelief, <br />the barman stopped in his track, <br />and pints in hands in mid-air suspended. <br /> <br />For a moment I was bewildered, <br />then began to feel embarrassed. <br />The silence was at last ended, <br />'we don’t sell champagne', he said. <br /> <br />The barman resumed polishing the glass, <br />the one at the bar was still clutching his pint, <br />no doubt waiting for my next gaffe. <br />'I will have a whisky instead, please.' <br />All breathed a sigh of relief.<br /><br />Isam Hussain<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-first-drink-in-a-pub-1957/
